Woking Hospice 'needs to expand to cope with demand'

It was a struggle to find a bed for World War II veteran and hospice supporter Edward Davis, 83, pictured here with healthcare assistant Denise Noto

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An urgent expansion of Woking Hospice is needed within the next five years to meet a growing demand for its services, according to the charity’s chief executive.

Plans for the future of the Hill View Road site are being re-drawn to meet the increasing and ageing population of the borough.

A rise in the demand for care and waiting lists for vital respite treatment have meant some patients being transferred out of Woking for treatment.

The hospice, funded entirely by donations and fundraising, cares for around 180 people a year through its in-patient beds plus a further 600 in the community, alongside its children and youth services.

The registered charity is one of the leading providers of end-of-life care, with an innovative link to patients at Ashford and St Peter’s hospitals.

Woking Hospice chief executive Nigel Harding said: “I am genuinely concerned that our beds are under so much pressure here at the moment and we are really nervous about how we are going to keep up with future demand.

“It is becoming urgent now. We have to look at expanding over the next five years.

“Woking is a growing population and an ageing population.

“The home we have occupied for 16 years is no longer big enough.

“We don’t want to transfer people out of the borough – it is not beneficial for them or their families.”

The growing number of people requiring the hospice’s help has seen three people moved to the linked Sam Beare Hospice in Weybridge this year and there has been a cutback on respite care.

Woking Hospice chief executive Nigel Harding

The problem was highlighted last week with the struggle to find Woking World War II veteran Edward Davis a bed.

Mr Davis, 83, who has lived in the same Kingfield house for 50 years, has been accessing hospice services for five years and is an active supporter.

Mr Harding said: “Thankfully a bed became available and he was eventually admitted, but this is not ideal. It is stressful for both patient and staff.

“Edward has served the country and borough incredibly. I feel that if we had transferred him we would have let him down.”

Mr Davis, who has attended daycare on a regular basis and receives home visits, said: “Woking Hospice and the services have been one of the main reasons I have lived so long.

“I consider the team here as my family. But with an ever-increasing population, I am just concerned that in the future people will not have the choices and support that I have been privileged to receive.

“This care is given freely and everybody in the local community needs to take an interest in their hospice to ensure appropriate care for future generations.”

In 2008 Woking Hospice, which has a yearly operational cost of £7.7m, launched a campaign called Keep the Doors Open to boost finances.

Mr Harding said there would again be a need to raise money to fund any expansion.

Various options are being considered as to how an increase in facilities could be achieved – including a complete move.

Mr Harding added: “We’re certainly looking now at different options for possible expansion but it’s still up in the air.

“We are going to have to raise money to be able to do that.

“This is something that is going to concern us as an organisation.

“Sometimes the work we do is underestimated and more and more is being asked of us.